Life & Work with Shirley Dones and Omar Arroyo of Poinciana

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shirley Dones and Omar Arroyo. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Since I was a little girl, I remembered. When my mother or grandmothers served anyone’s a plate of food; right after seeing anyone eat the first bite, their face was priceless. They were happy, appreciative, they felt loved. Oh, how much I remember their beautiful smiles. That captivate my interest to find out why they felt such way it was just food What was making them so happy? I asked my mother; she says it’s the food my darling. I asked my grandmothers and they had the same answer. This comes from a little girl that once wanted to be a lawyer. At a young age, I was in the kitchen. Asking as many questions I could. Trying to find out, what’s in the food then. And so, my story began. I wanted to make anyone feel the same way. At the end of the day love at first sight, starts in the kitchen (This is from our elders Spanish saying; El amor entra por la cocina) And so my story began. 

Life took many courses on me still until todays day. I became a single mother where I had to apply myself and fulfill my responsibilities. I even currently have a full-time job not related to where my passion is. Omar (my fiancé and business partner) knew about my passion for cooking. And so, he put his foot down about us starting a business. After many times me saying no and no. I gave in, I said YES. My yes is now Nanichi Food Truck. She will be big, I know it. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh, nothing close to smooth. Perhaps at one point once we started the business process, we knew it was going to be hard, then it will get better as we go considering we have what it takes. That unfortunately was not the situation. We started our planning on September 2019. Then COVID-19 hit in 2020. Finally, we started the food truck construction and it ended on June 2021. we finally opened on October 2021. To find a set location is near impossible for a food truck in our area. We can’t just park in the corner as many think. There are so many restrictions for food trucks. On top of that, we live in a small unincorporated town, Poinciana. Just a few businesses around here. I asked those few businesses permission, even with paying rent to use their land in order for me to do business it’s a NO. Or they have already someone, or they ask too much money for the part-time business we want to have. Just because we started a business that does not mean I will leave my permanent job. So, we open to the public when we can find a location and its affordable. We will find a permanent location and then we will leave our permanent jobs. So, besides open to the public whenever we can, we decided to do events. We had done a few ones and I’ve been invited for others. In a short time to be able to do that, it’s indeed a blessing. But, to look for events whether public or private it also takes time. It’s the searching and trying to connect with someone that at times it could be impossible to land any event. We know there are more struggles along the way. We will continue our motive, one day we will have a land where we can have not only our food truck but to allow others to develop as well. To open doors for those that struggle just like us. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I (Shirley) currently work for a company that manages pharmacy benefits. I also worked in Telecommunications managing business accounts in a tri-state around the northeast area. But no matter what I was doing or where I was, family or friends will look for me to do all their food caterings. That’s the real me. I am completely someone else when I’m in the kitchen. I am not by all means a Chef. I am also now Nanichi Food Truck founder and CEO. I appreciate and respect food. I am so proud of my family and my Puerto Rican roots. In my life experiences, I understand pain, hunger, disappointment, discrimination, been homeless, and more… And because of that I want to make anyone feel loved, happy, appreciated once they eat my food. That’s what sets me apart. Not only from others but my own self. It’s the perfect world for me when good food and people around are eating, it’s a party, they are family no matter who or where. 

Omar is an Investor and a Freelancer. He also loves to do car detailing and landscaping in his free time. Plus, he is the COO and my right hand in all the detailed process that goes to make all our fresh food items. Everything is fresh and from scratch. 

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Omar’s happiness are besides food, he also loves to serve our clients. He loves to see their reactions and comments about how much they love our food. Also, he loves to establish a good welcoming feeling to our business. He also says loves life and is so thankful for what we have not only as a couple but as business partners. 

For me, it’s from the moment that I am blessed to open my eyes every morning. To speak to my children, grandchildren, and my parents. After that, I complete my full-time job duties and once I am off, I am NANICHI all the way. Nanichi Food Truck is them, is anyone, is you, and is me (Nanichi means – in my Taino Arawak heritage language means Corazon (Heart), my dear, my beloved). I named our business Nanichi because she’s my heart. Besides, I am truly blessed that Omar believed in me, in US. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nanichifoodtruck
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nanichifoodtruck
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/LNanichi
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/results?sp=mAEA&search_query=Nanichifoodtruck#filters 

Image Credits
Shirley J Dones Paga
Omar A Arroyo Ortiz